The French Will Never Forget 9/11 Towers Replica

Twin Towers replica in Paris for 9/11 anniversary
A replica of the Twin Towers destroyed in the September 11 attacks will be built on a square opposite the Eiffel Tower in Paris to mark the tenth anniversary of the atrocity, organisers said on Tuesday.

The Eiffel Tower itself will be illuminated by a special light show later the same day, "The French will never forget" group that is hosting a series of events next month said in a statement.

US ambassador to Paris Charles Rivkin will inaugurate the replica that will be constructed on Trocadero square, it said, adding that the 25-metre (82-foot) towers will bear the names of the people killed in the attacks.

"The French will never forget" was set up in 2003 by a group of French entrepreneurs living in the United States to try and ease the anti-French sentiment sparked by Paris's criticism of the US invasion of Iraq.

Nearly 3,000 people were killed in the 9/11 attacks, 2,753 at the World Trade Center and the others in attacks on the Pentagon and in a hijacked plane that crashed in Pennsylvania.
http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/worldnews/northamerica/usa/8731532/Twin-Towers-replica-in-Paris-for-911-anniversary.html

High Alert for Security on 9/11 Anniversary

(CBS/AP) WASHINGTON - The federal government is escalating security around the country in preparation for the 10th anniversary of the 9/11 terrorist attacks and conducting confidential briefings with state and local law enforcement organizations. But officials say there is no specific indication that a terror plot against the U.S. is under way.


Americans can expect more security at airports, mass transit stations, U.S. borders, government buildings and major athletic events over the next month, said an intelligence official who spoke anonymously to discuss sensitive security matters.

The FBI and Homeland Security Department have been briefing state and local law enforcement agencies on potential terror threats to the U.S. and ways to increase security in their communities. The briefings are routine, and security has been enhanced for other major events in the past decade. But the significance of the 10-year anniversary of the worst terror attacks on U.S. soil is not lost on security officials, who fear that someone with terrorist sympathies might see 9/11 as an opportunity to make a statement.

It's been a long buildup as we approach the anniversary of 9/11," said Sean Duggan, assistant chief at the Scottsdale, Ariz., Police Department. Duggan said his department gets daily updates from the FBI and Homeland Security Department. But over the past two months, the focus has been on the 10th anniversary of the terror hijackings.


"We know this is a significant date," Duggan said. "Other than taking physical precautions, we have not been briefed on any specific threat other than the obvious — knowing what this date means in our history."


Events are planned around the country to commemorate the nearly 3,000 people killed in the 2001 attacks.


"While there is currently no specific or credible threat, appropriate and prudent security measures are ready to detect and prevent plots against the United States should they emerge," Homeland Security Department spokesman Matt Chandler said.

http://www.cbsnews.com/stories/2011/08/31/national/main20099778.shtml

Obama to Speak at 9/11 Anniversary

CNN) -- President Barack Obama plans to speak at the Washington National Cathedral on the evening of September 11 to commemorate the terrorist attacks of September 11, 2001, event organizers said Tuesday.

The three-day event, entitled "A Call to Compassion," is designed to "honor the memories of those lost, heal the wounds caused by terrorism and war, and gain new hope to move forward as a nation," a news release said.

It will begin on Friday, September 9, with Secretary of Defense Leon Panetta speaking at "A Concert to Honor," a memorial concert dedicated to the victims of 9/11 as well as the more than 6,000 troops who have died in the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan.

On Saturday, September 10, families are invited to attend a free public concert, organizers said. This event will be called "A Concert to Heal."

Sunday, September 11, will mark the reopening of the National Cathedral following last week's 5.8-magnitude earthquake.

The day will begin with an interfaith vigil where religious leaders will gather in prayer as the cathedral tolls its 12-ton funeral bell to mark the moments when airplanes struck the North and South Towers of the World Trade Center, hit the Pentagon, and crashed in Shanksville, Pennsylvania, said organizers.

Obama also plans to visit all three memorial sites on the morning of September 11, the cathedral said. Later in the evening, he and first lady Michelle Obama will attend "A Concert for Hope," where the president will deliver his speech.

"It is our hope that the Cathedral's commemoration, especially with President Obama's participation in it, will move us further down the path toward healing," said Cathedral Dean Samuel T. Lloyd III.

The Washington National Cathedral joined with the National September 11 Memorial & Museum, the Pentagon Memorial Fund, and the Flight 93 National Memorial to present the event.

http://www.cnn.com/2011/POLITICS/08/30/obama.september.11/index.html

Hurricane Irene didn't phase 9/11 anniversary plans

Hurricane Irene failed to cause any major damage at the site of the 9/11 Memorial, which is still on course to be dedicated on the 10th anniversary of the terrorist attacks.



The memorial will then open to the public on September 12, 2011.

In a series of Tweets during the weekend storm, Memorial director Joe Daniels re-assured the public that, despite the heavy rain and high winds, Irene did not flood the site or damage the property. The 225 trees on the memorial plaza also came through without damage.

“The Memorial has weathered tropical storm Irene, and it remains as strong as the hundreds of men and women dedicated to building it,” said Daniels in an official statement released Monday. “And true to its name, the Survivor Tree is standing tall at the Memorial.

“I would like to recognize the efforts of the Port Authority and Memorial staff who worked together to help ensure this national site of honor and remembrance will open in September on the 10th anniversary of the 9/11 attacks and for generations to come.”

The location of the site in designated flood Zone A — the most flood-prone areas of the city — had nerves frayed as the hurricane stormed towards the city on Saturday.

The city’s department of buildings had shut down every construction site in New York, however, it was feared 65 mph winds could topple tower cranes, 13 of which are located at the WTC.

Tishman Construction, the construction manager for One World Trade Center, continued inspections there on Monday as work resumed on reaching 1,000 ft. by next weekend’s anniversary.

John Gallagher, director of public affairs and vice president, said, “Extensive preparation by all personnel on each project ensured that the entire site came through very well.

“Any water entering was handled by pumps brought in for the event. Equipment is being checked and put back in service with any necessary repairs. There were no problems of any significance.”

The 3.5-million-square-foot tower will ultimately stand 1,776 feet and incorporate the latest innovations in life safety systems, structural engineering and environmental responsibility.

The project is aiming for LEED Gold certification through the use of renewable energy sources, low energy HVAC solutions, high performance façades, non-ozone-depleting chemicals, sustainable materials and rainwater collection and recycling systems.

The rebuilding effort has been chronicled by Hollywood producer Steven Spielberg in a two-week 9/11 anniversary tribute on the Discovery & Science Channel.

‘Rising: Rebuilding Ground Zero,’ is a series of six 1-hour programs filmed over the past two years that captures footage of construction crews at work.

The 9/11 Museum is expected to open next year. One World Trade Center should be complete by January of 2013.

In preparation of the 10th Anniversary the annual construction embargo has also been released.

It is scheduled to begin Sunday, September 4 at 12:01 a.m., and ends at 11:59 p.m. on Sunday, September
http://www.rew-online.com/2011/08/29/all-systems-go-at-wtc-site-as-irene-scurries-out-of-town/

San Diego on Alert for 9/11 Anniversary

Reporting from San Diego -- With the 10th anniversary of the Sept. 11 attacks approaching, San Diego political and law enforcement officials launched a campaign Wednesday to warn residents to look for signs of terrorist planning.

"Al Qaeda and others have always had a fascination with significant dates in history," Keith Slotter, special agent in charge of the San Diego office of the FBI, told a news conference.

Public service announcements are scheduled for local television stations warning residents to be on the alert and to contact police if they see anything suspicious.

A locally produced six-minute video titled "The Eight Signs of Terrorism" is posted on a county government website: http://www.ReadySanDiego.org.

San Diego's proximity to the U.S.-Mexico border and the presence of numerous military bases require an extra level of vigilance, said San Diego Mayor Jerry Sanders, a former police chief.

The eight warning signs were compiled by the San Diego Joint Terrorism Task Force and the federal Department of Homeland Security. The department has begun a national campaign, "If You See Something, Say Something."

Among the signs of possible terrorism: People appearing to watch potential targets to gain information and people impersonating law enforcement officers or letter carriers.

Other signs include people using cash for large purchases; people buying large quantities of products such as fertilizer, weapons or uniforms; and people appearing to rehearse an attack or moving equipment or supplies into position.

"When in doubt, call law enforcement," San Diego County Sheriff William Gore said. "We'll handle it.... We're not targeting any particular group, we're looking at suspicious activity regardless of who is doing it."

San Diego Police Chief William Lansdowne recalled the police and firefighters who dashed into the second building of the Twin Towers when it was struck by a plane.

"Remember what happened on 9/11 and show that level of courage," he said.

Three of the hijackers who flew a plane into the Pentagon had lived in San Diego. Two of the three had taken flying lessons in San Diego.

In the wake of the Sept. 11 attacks, there was criticism about lack of coordination and sharing of information between federal and local law enforcement and U.S. intelligence agencies.

Without directly mentioning that criticism, officials at Wednesday's news conference said that coordination has improved.

"We've never been more prepared," Lansdowne said.

tony.perry@latimes.com

http://www.latimes.com/news/local/la-me-0825-terrorism-20110825,0,4826580.story

50 TV Programs dedicated to 9/11 Anniversary

The 10th anniversary of 9/11 is the focus of stepped-up media coverage, with more than 50 programs dedicated to the event. What to watch? Here's our channel-by-channel guide.

MNN.COM›Lifestyle›Arts & Culture
Remembering 9/11: A guide to the 10th anniversary on TV
The 10th anniversary of 9/11 is the focus of stepped-up media coverage, with more than 50 programs dedicated to the event. What to watch? Here's our channel-by-channel guide.
By Gerri MillerWed, Aug 24 2011 at 10:51 AM EST

Every year since 2001, networks and news organizations have commemorated the anniversary of the September 11 terrorist attacks with specials and documentaries, dramas and retrospectives. This year, the 10th anniversary of the Al Qaeda-perpetrated tragedy that claimed the lives of nearly 3,000 people at the World Trade Center, the Pentagon and Shanksville, Pa., is the focus of stepped-up media coverage, with more than 50 programs dedicated to the event. What to watch? We help you sort them out with this channel-by-channel guide.

ABC
Beginning at 8 AM ET on Sept. 11, Diane Sawyer and George Stephanopoulos anchor three hours of live coverage, “9/11: America Remembers Ten Years Later.” That night, “Primetime” presents the special edition “Remembrance and Renewal—10 Years After the 9/11 Attacks” (Sept. 11, 10 p.m.).

CBS
Six hours of coverage on the anniversary includes the special "9/11: America Remembers," anchored by Scott Pelley from Ground Zero (8 a.m. EST), followed by "Face the Nation" from the same location. An all-9/11 edition of "60 Minutes" airs that night (7 p.m.) followed by "9/11: Ten Years Later." "The Early Show" and "CBS Evening News" will emanate from Ground Zero all weekend.

NBC
Eleven of the 3,000 kids who lost a parent in the attacks speak out in "Children of 9/11," which follows a year in their lives (Sept. 5, 10 p.m.). Tom Brokaw hosts a two-hour 9/11 "Dateline" (Sept. 8, 9 p.m.). Incorporating the three official memorial ceremonies, "America Remembers" will air the morning of Sept. 11 (8 a.m. EDT/5 a.m. PDT), and that evening Brian Williams anchors "NBC Nightly News" from Ground Zero (6:30 p.m.).
MNN.COM›Lifestyle›Arts & Culture
Remembering 9/11: A guide to the 10th anniversary on TV
The 10th anniversary of 9/11 is the focus of stepped-up media coverage, with more than 50 programs dedicated to the event. What to watch? Here's our channel-by-channel guide.
By Gerri MillerWed, Aug 24 2011 at 10:51 AM EST

NEVER FORGET: Firefighters display a flag at the Pentagon on Sept. 12, 2001. (Photo: Flickr)
Every year since 2001, networks and news organizations have commemorated the anniversary of the September 11 terrorist attacks with specials and documentaries, dramas and retrospectives. This year, the 10th anniversary of the Al Qaeda-perpetrated tragedy that claimed the lives of nearly 3,000 people at the World Trade Center, the Pentagon and Shanksville, Pa., is the focus of stepped-up media coverage, with more than 50 programs dedicated to the event. What to watch? We help you sort them out with this channel-by-channel guide.

ABC
Beginning at 8 AM ET on Sept. 11, Diane Sawyer and George Stephanopoulos anchor three hours of live coverage, “9/11: America Remembers Ten Years Later.” That night, “Primetime” presents the special edition “Remembrance and Renewal—10 Years After the 9/11 Attacks” (Sept. 11, 10 p.m.).

CBS
Six hours of coverage on the anniversary includes the special "9/11: America Remembers," anchored by Scott Pelley from Ground Zero (8 a.m. EST), followed by "Face the Nation" from the same location. An all-9/11 edition of "60 Minutes" airs that night (7 p.m.) followed by "9/11: Ten Years Later." "The Early Show" and "CBS Evening News" will emanate from Ground Zero all weekend.

NBC
Eleven of the 3,000 kids who lost a parent in the attacks speak out in "Children of 9/11," which follows a year in their lives (Sept. 5, 10 p.m.). Tom Brokaw hosts a two-hour 9/11 "Dateline" (Sept. 8, 9 p.m.). Incorporating the three official memorial ceremonies, "America Remembers" will air the morning of Sept. 11 (8 a.m. EDT/5 a.m. PDT), and that evening Brian Williams anchors "NBC Nightly News" from Ground Zero (6:30 p.m.).



PBS
Public broadcasting's extensive slate of 9/11 programming includes a "Frontline" portrait of FBI counterterrorism agent turned World Trade Center security chief — and victim — John O'Neill, called "The Man Who Knew" (Aug. 30, 9 p.m.), an examination of anti-terrorism operations, "Top Secret America" (Sept. 6, 9 p.m.), and "Faith and Doubt at Ground Zero," which addresses spiritual questions (Sept. 7, 10 p.m.). On "Nova," "Engineering Ground Zero" (above) follows the construction of One World Trade Center and the September 11 Memorial and Museum (Sept. 7, 9 p.m.), and on the anniversary date, "PBS Newshour" presents "America Remembers 9/11," examining the significance of the day throughout the nation (8 p.m.), followed by "Great Performances: The New York Philharmonic 10th Anniversary Concert for 9/11," a performance of Gustav Mahler's Symphony No. 2 "Resurrection," taped at Lincoln Center.

HBO
Rebroadcasts of the documentaries "Nine Innings From Ground Zero," focusing on the how the Yankees rallied New Yorkers during the post-9/11 World Series, and "In Memoriam: New York City 9/11/01," released on the one-year anniversary, will air several times over the weekend of Sept. 11.

FX
"Rescue Me," the drama series about New York firemen in the aftermath of 9/11 comes full circle in a series finale that bids farewell to a fallen comrade and pays tribute to the heroic FDNY. (Sept. 7, 10 p.m.)

HISTORY CHANNEL
Frantic phone messages and final goodbyes made moments before the towers fell are the basis of "Voices From Inside the Towers" (Sept. 10, 9 p.m.). Focusing on the tragedy's aftermath via archival footage, "9/11: The Days After", will air commercial-free (Sept. 10, 9 p.m.). It's from the filmmakers of the Emmy-winning "102 Minutes that Changed America," which will be simulcast on History, A&E and in 150 countries starting at 8:46 a.m. EST on Sept. 11 — the moment of the first impact at One World Trade Center. "Making the 9/11 Memorial" documents the creation of the "Reflecting Absence" memorial leading up to its unveiling (Sept. 11, 8 p.m.).


MNN.COM›Lifestyle›Arts & Culture
Remembering 9/11: A guide to the 10th anniversary on TV
The 10th anniversary of 9/11 is the focus of stepped-up media coverage, with more than 50 programs dedicated to the event. What to watch? Here's our channel-by-channel guide.
By Gerri MillerWed, Aug 24 2011 at 10:51 AM EST

NEVER FORGET: Firefighters display a flag at the Pentagon on Sept. 12, 2001. (Photo: Flickr)
Every year since 2001, networks and news organizations have commemorated the anniversary of the September 11 terrorist attacks with specials and documentaries, dramas and retrospectives. This year, the 10th anniversary of the Al Qaeda-perpetrated tragedy that claimed the lives of nearly 3,000 people at the World Trade Center, the Pentagon and Shanksville, Pa., is the focus of stepped-up media coverage, with more than 50 programs dedicated to the event. What to watch? We help you sort them out with this channel-by-channel guide.

ABC
Beginning at 8 AM ET on Sept. 11, Diane Sawyer and George Stephanopoulos anchor three hours of live coverage, “9/11: America Remembers Ten Years Later.” That night, “Primetime” presents the special edition “Remembrance and Renewal—10 Years After the 9/11 Attacks” (Sept. 11, 10 p.m.).

CBS
Six hours of coverage on the anniversary includes the special "9/11: America Remembers," anchored by Scott Pelley from Ground Zero (8 a.m. EST), followed by "Face the Nation" from the same location. An all-9/11 edition of "60 Minutes" airs that night (7 p.m.) followed by "9/11: Ten Years Later." "The Early Show" and "CBS Evening News" will emanate from Ground Zero all weekend.

NBC
Eleven of the 3,000 kids who lost a parent in the attacks speak out in "Children of 9/11," which follows a year in their lives (Sept. 5, 10 p.m.). Tom Brokaw hosts a two-hour 9/11 "Dateline" (Sept. 8, 9 p.m.). Incorporating the three official memorial ceremonies, "America Remembers" will air the morning of Sept. 11 (8 a.m. EDT/5 a.m. PDT), and that evening Brian Williams anchors "NBC Nightly News" from Ground Zero (6:30 p.m.).



PBS
Public broadcasting's extensive slate of 9/11 programming includes a "Frontline" portrait of FBI counterterrorism agent turned World Trade Center security chief — and victim — John O'Neill, called "The Man Who Knew" (Aug. 30, 9 p.m.), an examination of anti-terrorism operations, "Top Secret America" (Sept. 6, 9 p.m.), and "Faith and Doubt at Ground Zero," which addresses spiritual questions (Sept. 7, 10 p.m.). On "Nova," "Engineering Ground Zero" (above) follows the construction of One World Trade Center and the September 11 Memorial and Museum (Sept. 7, 9 p.m.), and on the anniversary date, "PBS Newshour" presents "America Remembers 9/11," examining the significance of the day throughout the nation (8 p.m.), followed by "Great Performances: The New York Philharmonic 10th Anniversary Concert for 9/11," a performance of Gustav Mahler's Symphony No. 2 "Resurrection," taped at Lincoln Center.

HBO
Rebroadcasts of the documentaries "Nine Innings From Ground Zero," focusing on the how the Yankees rallied New Yorkers during the post-9/11 World Series, and "In Memoriam: New York City 9/11/01," released on the one-year anniversary, will air several times over the weekend of Sept. 11.

FX
"Rescue Me," the drama series about New York firemen in the aftermath of 9/11 comes full circle in a series finale that bids farewell to a fallen comrade and pays tribute to the heroic FDNY. (Sept. 7, 10 p.m.)

HISTORY CHANNEL
Frantic phone messages and final goodbyes made moments before the towers fell are the basis of "Voices From Inside the Towers" (Sept. 10, 9 p.m.). Focusing on the tragedy's aftermath via archival footage, "9/11: The Days After", will air commercial-free (Sept. 10, 9 p.m.). It's from the filmmakers of the Emmy-winning "102 Minutes that Changed America," which will be simulcast on History, A&E and in 150 countries starting at 8:46 a.m. EST on Sept. 11 — the moment of the first impact at One World Trade Center. "Making the 9/11 Memorial" documents the creation of the "Reflecting Absence" memorial leading up to its unveiling (Sept. 11, 8 p.m.).



NATIONAL GEOGRAPHIC
Devoting a week of prime time to the anniversary starting Aug. 28, Nat Geo will present rebroadcasts with updated footage and new specials including "Inside 9/11: The War Continues," examining terrorism, Al-Qaeda, and the killing of Osama Bin Laden (Aug. 28, 9 p.m.), "George W. Bush: The 9/11 Interview," the most in-depth interview the former president has ever given on the subject (Aug. 28, 10 p.m.), "CIA Confidential: 9/11 Mastermind," about the pursuit of terrorist Khalid Sheik Mohammed (Aug. 29, 10 p.m.), and "9/11: Where Were You?" following people who made critical decisions during the crisis (Aug. 30, 10 p.m.).

DISCOVERY
Produced by Steven Spielberg, the six-hour event "Rising: Rebuilding Ground Zero" chronicles the massive effort that represents the reclamation and renaissance of Lower Manhattan, presented commercial-free Aug. 25-Sept. 1 (8-11 p.m. each night).

A&E
Photographer Andrea Booher tracks down the people she photographed that fateful day in "Portraits From Ground Zero," a commercial-free world premiere (Sept. 10, 10 p.m.).

NICKELODEON
"Nick News with Linda Ellerbee: 'What Happened?: The Story of September 11, 2001'" answers kids' questions and helps them understand the world-changing event (Sept. 1, 9 p.m.).

OWN
Twins who lost a sibling on 9/11 tell their stories in "Twins of the Twin Towers" (Sept. 11, 9 p.m.) and "From the Ground Up" focuses on the widows of firefighters (Sept. 11, 10:15 p.m.).

TLC
"9/11: Heroes of the 88th Floor" recounts the selfless bravery of two men who died saving others in the Twin Towers (Sept. 4, 9 p.m.).
INVESTIGATION DISCOVERY
"ID Investigates: 9/11 Crime Scene Investigators" (above) profiles the NYPD's Crime Scene Unit and its search for survivors and evidence at Ground Zero in the aftermath of the WTC attack (Sept. 4, 9 p.m.).

SMITHSONIAN CHANNEL
A chronological account of the first 18 hours, "9/11: Day that Changed the World" includes interviews with former New York mayor Rudy Giuliani, former Vice President Dick Cheney, and former Secretary of Defense Donald Rumsfeld (Sept. 5, 8 & 11 p.m.; Sept. 6, 5 p.m.). Personal objects from victims and survivors represent the bigger picture in "9/11: Stories in Fragments" (Sept. 5, 9:35 p.m.; Sept. 6, 12:35 a.m., 8 p.m.).

ANIMAL PLANET
A 9/11-themed edition of the series "Saved" profiles two New York families impacted by the attacks whose pets helped them deal with their loss (Sept. 7, 9 p.m.).

SHOWTIME
Grounded in New York on 9/11, Paul McCartney (above) thought the best way to help was to stage a benefit concert, the preparation for which — including rehearsals — and portions of the concert itself, are the basis of the documentary "The Love We Make" (Sept. 10, 9 p.m.). Juxtaposed against time-lapse images of the rebuilding of Ground Zero, "Rebirth" movingly tracks five people — a badly burned survivor and four who lost loved ones — in yearly interviews that show how it's possible to heal despite overwhelming loss (Sept. 11, 9 p.m.).

CNN
As noted in the 9/11 Commission Report, eight people who played small but significant roles that day are the subject of "Footnotes of 9/11" (Sept. 6, 11 p.m.). Medical expert Sanjay Gupta reports on the health conditions affecting Ground Zero responders in "Terror in the Dust" (Sept. 7, 11 p.m.) and Soledad O'Brien focuses on female rescue workers in "Beyond Bravery: The Women of 9/11" (Sept. 8, 11 p.m.). "Beyond 9/11: Portraits of Resilience" interweaves photographs and interviews with officials, survivors and first responders (Sept. 9, 11 p.m.).

USA
Oscar winner Melissa Leo (above) plays a flight attendant reluctantly charged with the care of an unaccompanied Pakistani-American boy after they're grounded en route from New York to L.A. on the morning of 9/11 in "The Space Between," airing commercial-free on Sept. 11 (9 p.m.), followed by the Oscar-winning short documentary "Twin Towers," which follows an elite NYPD rescue unit that was to be the subject of a reality series before fate intervened, claiming many of the members' lives.

BIO CHANNEL
"When Pop Culture Saved America" explains how entertainers buoyed and helped heal the nation in the aftermath of 9/11 (Sept. 5, 8 p.m.). "I Survived 9/11" interviews those who escaped death that day (Sept. 6, 8 p.m.) and "Beyond: Messages From 9/11" profiles people who claim to have received messages from deceased loved ones (Sept. 10, 10 p.m.).

FOX NEWS CHANNEL
In "Freedom Rising with Shepard Smith," the anchor focuses on the rebuilding of Ground Zero and the people making it happen (Sept. 2, 9 p.m.). The channel presents all-day coverage of the anniversary on Sept. 11 starting with a two-hour program at 8 a.m. EDT, simulcast on Fox.

MSNBC
Richard Engel and Rachel Maddow report on the decade since 9/11 in "Day of Destruction — Decade of War" (Sept. 1, 9 p.m., repeating Sept. 9, 10, 11). "On Native Soil" focuses on the 9/11 Commissions report (Sept. 10, 3 p.m.; Sept 11, 9 p.m.) and "9/11: In Our Own Words" blends footage and commentary from the reporters that covered the events of the day (Sept. 11, 8 p.m.).

CNBC
A special edition of "American Greed" entitled "9/11 Fraud" focuses on those who seek to illegally profit from tragedy (Sept. 7, 9 p.m.) and on Sept. 10 "The Suze Orman Show" discusses the money lessons of 9/11 (9 p.m., 12 a.m.).


http://www.mnn.com/lifestyle/arts-culture/stories/remembering-911-a-guide-to-the-10th-anniversary-on-tv

California to New York - Firefighters Cycle to 9/11 Anniversary

Kent native Adam Loeser, left, now a firefighter in California, is part of the "Ride for 9-11" group of firefighters who are cycling cross-country to New York City to honor the 10th anniversary of the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks. Ten firefighters are riding from the southern California area to honor the 343 firefighters killed in the attacks at Ground Zero. The riders left July 24 and plan to arrive in New York City on Sept. 9 — with stops along the way across the country, including in Loeser's hometown of Kent, OH. Courtesy Adam Loeser Photos (1)
Among the firefighters riding 3,300 miles cross country under the "Ride for 9-11" banner is 1992 Theodore Roosevelt High School graduate Adam Loeser, who has been coordinating his hometown stop with Kent firefighter Brock Murphy.

"They were originally talking about staying in Akron, but since Adam is a Roosevelt grad from Kent he was instrumental in getting them to stay the night in Kent," Murphy said. "So we talked to our fire chief, and he OK’d us to have them spend the night at the station.”

Loeser, who now works as a firefighter at station one in Fullerton, CA, said six of the firefighters are on the road full-time. He rode the first 500 miles the first week and will join the team to ride the last 1,100 miles into New York City.

"The biggest point … is just that it’s a group of firefighters that are honoring the 343 firefighters that died during 9-11, and to remember the people that have supported us and kind of taken up the torch of service personnel that are around the world and protect us on a day-to-day basis," Loeser said. "I’m excited that we’re able to go through Kent."

Loeser said two firefighters in Los Angeles County came up with the idea to ride to Ground Zero in New York a few years ago to honor the firefighters killed in the attacks. He joined the ride to represent firefighters from Orange County and south of Los Angeles County.

A support team is driving along — at a slow crawl — in a motorhome behind the cyclists, and a two-man film crew is shooting the trip for a documentary. All 10 riders from the southern California area serve as financiers, ride organizers, marketers, cooks, drivers and bicycle mechanics.

"It was a lot of different hats that all 10 of us have had to wear to learn a little bit about how to make the whole ride work," Loeser said. "It’s working great. It’s been well received in every city and town that we’ve gone through."

The riders hit St. Louis, MO, Monday. Days earlier they were greeted by firefighters in Oklahoma City, OK.

Loeser will join the group either in Indiana or Toledo. They will then ride into Akron before traveling through Cuyahoga Falls and Stow on their way into Kent. The route can be traced here.

Murphy said they plan to have a police and fire escort guide the riders from the Stow-Kent border east on S.R. 59 to downtown Kent, where the Kent Jaycees will welcome the riders with a meal in Home Savings Plaza. Information on their stop in Kent is available here.

Murphy said he encourages Kent-area residents to line the route and cheer on the firefighters as they ride into Kent next Tuesday. They're expected to arrive in Kent between 3 and 4:30 p.m. Aug. 30.

"It’s hard to say that far out," Murphy said.

They will leave Kent for Pittsburgh the next day.

The riders left California July 24 with the goal of hitting New York in 45 days with stops in Pittsburgh and Washington, D.C., along the way. They plan to arrive in New York City on Sept. 9 and finish the ride at the FDNY Firefighters Wall.

The ride is raising money for The Leary Firefighters Foundation and the Wounded Warrior Project.

Loeser, a long-time athlete, said the riders trained on 100-mile marathon rides for the memorial trip. One of the toughest parts was stringing together 100-mile bike rides day after day.

But he said it's not about the length of the trip, the lightning, hail storms and other obstacles the riders have run across.

"It's not so much about me or the individual guys," he said. "It's just a group of guys who are trying to make a little bit of a difference."

http://kent.patch.com/articles/911-tribute-ride-will-bring-firefighters-through-kent

Al-Qaeda down but not out

By David Ignatius, Published: August 23
Government officials refer to it blandly as the “SSE,” or Sensitive Site Exploitation. That’s their oblique term for the extraordinary cache of evidence that was carried away from Osama bin Laden’s compound the night the al-Qaeda leader was killed.

With the anniversary of the Sept. 11, 2001, attacks a few weeks away, it’s possible to use this evidence to sketch a vivid portrait of al-Qaeda, drawing on material contained in more than 100 computer storage devices, including thumb drives, DVDs and CDs, and more than a dozen computers or hard drives — all collected during the May 2 raid.

U.S. officials say three strong themes emerge from their reading of the files, most of which were communications between bin Laden and his top deputy Atiyah Abd al-Rahman. Indeed, because the Libyan-born Atiyah (who’s known to analysts by his first name) was the boss’s key link with the outside, officials see him as more important than bin Laden’s nominal successor, Ayman al-Zawahiri.

Here are the highlights:

●Bin Laden retained until his death a passion to launch a significant attack against the United States, ideally linked to the 10th anniversary of 9/11. He and Atiyah communicated often about who might carry out such a strike, with Atiyah proposing names and bin Laden rejecting them. Bin Laden was still looking for a history-changing attack on big, economically important targets — one that would match, if not outdo, the impact of 9/11. Zawahiri, by contrast, favored an opportunistic strategy of smaller strikes.

●Bin Laden was a hands-on chief executive, with a role in operations planning and personnel decisions, rather than the detached senior leader that U.S. analysts had hypothesized. Zawahiri, whom the analysts had imagined as the day-to-day leader, was actually quite isolated — and remains so, despite a dozen communications this year. Zawahiri suffers from mistrust between his Egyptian faction of al-Qaeda and other operatives, such as Atiyah.

●Bin Laden was suffering badly from drone attacks on al-Qaeda’s base in the tribal areas of Pakistan. He called this the “intelligence war,” and said it was “the only weapon that’s hurting us.” His cadres complained that they couldn’t train in the tribal areas, couldn’t communicate, couldn’t travel easily and couldn’t draw new recruits to what amounted to a free-fire zone. Bin Laden discussed moving al-Qaeda’s base to another location, but he never took action.

Analysts did not find in the material any smoking gun to suggest Pakistani government complicity in bin Laden’s presence in Abbottabad. And it’s clear he was paranoid about being found and killed: He ordered his subordinates to restrict movements to help preserve what remained of al-Qaeda in Pakistan. Fear of being discovered was a subject of regular conversation between bin Laden, Atiyah, Zawahiri and others.

Bin Laden also worried that al-
Qaeda’s status among Muslims was dwindling, and that the West had at least partially succeeded in distancing al-Qaeda’s message from core Islamic values. Concerned about this eroding base, bin Laden counseled affiliates in North Africa and Yemen to hold back on their efforts to develop a local Islamic extremist state in favor of attacking the United States and its interests.

This fear that al-Qaeda’s extreme tactics were burning too hot and alienating Muslims was also the theme of a remarkable message that Atiyah sent in 2005 to Abu Musab al-Zarqawi, the murderous chief of al-Qaeda in Iraq. In this document, made public five years ago by the United States, Atiyah warned that fomenting Sunni-Shiite violence (which was Zarqawi’s trademark) was potentially ruinous.

The al-Qaeda that emerges from these documents is a badly battered and disoriented group. The June 3 death of Ilyas Kashmiri in a drone attack illustrates the organization’s continuing vulnerability. Kashmiri was a ruthless operator who planned the 2008 Mumbai attacks that killed 166 people and was plotting deadly attacks on Europe last winter that were stopped only because of aggressive counterterrorism work. (Security services from Europe and Turkey arrested about 20 of Kashmiri’s operatives before they could carry out the attacks.)

When top U.S. officials summarize their view of al-Qaeda now, in the run-up to the 9/11 anniversary, they describe an organization that is down but certainly not out. They don’t know of any specific plots targeting the United States, 10 years on. But they’re looking, pulsing every channel they know. They recognize that it’s what we still don’t know about al-Qaeda that’s most dangerous.

davidignatius@washpost.com

http://www.washingtonpost.com/opinions/10-years-after-911-al-qaeda-is-down-but-not-out/2011/08/23/gIQARQ3tZJ_story.html

USS New York "Never Forget" to visit for 9/11 anniversayr

Associated Press
NEW YORK — A Navy ship built with steel from the World Trade Center will anchor off lower Manhattan for ceremonies marking the 10th anniversary of the Sept. 11 terror attacks.

U.S. Sen. Charles Schumer announced Tuesday that the Navy has agreed to bring the USS New York to the state it was named after.

Schumer said the Navy's decision came after weeks of negotiations.

Schumer said in a letter to Navy Secretary Ray Mabus that it would be fitting for those who lost loved ones at the twin towers to be joined by the ship forged with steel from those towers.

The USS New York is an amphibious transport ship built with 7.5 tons of steel salvaged from the trade center. The ship's motto is "Never Forget." It was commissioned in 2009.

—Copyright 2011 Associated Press
http://online.wsj.com/article/APd24ef5b9994c400f9be44c6da4be2319.html

72 POLICE OFFICERS KILLED ON 9/11 TO BE REMEMBERED ON 10TH ANNIVERSARY

It remains the deadliest day in U.S. law enforcement history: 72 peace officers killed in the line of duty during the terrorist attacks of September 11, 2001, according to the director of Washington, D.C.'s Law Enforcement Officers Memorial.

Ten years after that tragic day, these heroic men and women will be remembered during a ceremony at the National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial in Washington, D.C.

On Friday, September 9, at 10 AM (et), U.S. Attorney General Eric H. Holder, Jr. will join Board members, supporters and staff of the National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial Fund, as well as dignitaries from law enforcement agencies that lost (an) officer(s) on 9/11, at the National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial in Washington, D.C. for a special ceremony.

The names of the 72 officers are engraved together on Line 23 of Panels 9 through 22 of the Memorial's west wall. Following brief remarks, the officers' names will be read aloud, and a wreath will be laid in their honor.

"Over the past 10 years, the horrific events of September 11, 2001 seem to have faded a bit from our collective consciousness. But the service and sacrifice of the 72 courageous law enforcement heroes who laid down their own lives that day for the safety and protection of others will always be remembered here at the National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial," said Craig Floyd, CEO of the Memorial.

Among the law enforcement officers who died on 9/11 were 71 killed at the World Trade Center, plus one officer — Richard Guadagno, a sworn refuge manager with the U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service — who was among the passengers who died in Pennsylvania while fighting to regain control of Flight 93 from the terrorists.

Thirty-seven members of the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey Police Force, including its Superintendent, Fred Morrone, died on 9/11; that represents the most fatalities suffered by a single law enforcement agency in one day in U.S. history.

Also killed at the World Trade Center that day were 23 members of the New York City Police Department; five members of the New York State Department of Taxation & Finance; three members of the New York State Office of Court Administration; a special agent with the FBI; a master special officer with the U.S. Secret Service; and a New York City fire marshal who had sworn law enforcement powers.

The names of all 72 officers killed on 9/11 can be found on the Memorial Fund's web site at www.LawMemorial.org/911RollCall. The National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial contains the names of 19,298 officers who have died in the line of duty throughout U.S. history.

http://www.thecypresstimes.com/article/News/National_News/72_POLICE_OFFICERS_KILLED_ON_911_TO_BE_REMEMBERED_ON_10TH_ANNIVERSARY/49496

2,500 Motorcycles Commemorate 9/11

The 10th annual ride, organized by America’s 911 Foundation Inc., began Thursday in Shanksville, Pa., and went past the Pentagon in Arlington, Va., on Friday. The riders are set to reach their destination at Ground Zero in Manhattan on Sunday morning — touching all three sites where planes crashed on Sept. 11, 2001.
The ride is tentatively scheduled to enter New Jersey from the Delaware Memorial Bridge shortly before 2 p.m. and arrive in the southern part of Middlesex County via Route 130 by mid-afternoon.
The ride will pass by Cranbury, South Brunswick and North Brunswick on Route 130 North before accessing Route 1 North. It will pass by New Brunswick, Highland Park, Edison, Woodbridge and Rahway before arriving in Linden about 4:30 to 5 p.m.
Police from several Central Jersey towns affected by the ride said their departments plan to have officers help with the traffic situation, which will require numerous intersections to be blocked off as the procession passes.
The ride also has its own official police escorts, who are conducting their own continual, rolling block-offs of intersections.
“We expect them to come here (in Woodbridge) between 3:30 and 4 p.m., and they said they would call our front desk and give us like a 15-minute heads-up,” Woodbridge Police Capt. Roy Hoppock said. “But that’s tentative. Anything could happen and they could be delayed. It’s not a big operation for us. We plan to have as many auxiliary officers out there as we can to monitor it until they get through.”
Linden Sgt. Don Geisheimer said Linden police will temporarily block off intersections along Route 1 as the motorcyclists arrive and travel into the parking lot at Aviation Plaza along Route 1 North, where there will be refreshments and a ceremony at the Applebee’s restaurant. Police also will close intersections as the caravan of riders leaves the city along Route 1, heading toward Elizabeth.
Geisheimer said the motorcycle run is well-organized, and the temporary closing of intersections shouldn’t be a major issue. While the riders are in the Aviation Plaza parking lot, he said, the intersections will be open.
“Local roads won’t be affected,” said Geisheimer who anticipates that it will take about 15 minutes to get all the riders into the lot, which will be closed off by the Applebee’s.
“It won’t be that long,” said Geisheimer, adding that the riders will travel at the 40 mph speed limit.
Rob Brining, 55, of Burlington is one of the volunteer road captains riding in the Sept. 11 event. It’s his sixth. “This is the biggest turnout we’ve had,” he said

http://www.mycentraljersey.com/article/20110820/NJNEWS/308190031/9-11-motorcycle-ride-hits-Central-Jersey-today.

CBS News 9/11 Anniversary Coverage

CBS News Schedules 6 Hours of Special Coverage on 9/11 AnniversaryBy Sunday, September 11, Scott Pelley will anchor CBS News coverage of the national memorial ceremonies for the 9/11 attacks from Ground Zero. “Face the Nation” will originate from Ground Zero immediately following the conclusion of scheduled events.

Both “The Early Show” and the “CBS Evening News” will also be live from Ground Zero beginning Friday, September 9. “60 Minutes” will also be entirely dedicated to 9/11 coverage on Sunday night at 7 pmET/PT, with a feature presentation of “9/11: Ten Years Later,” an updated version of the award-winning film CBS aired on the first and fifth anniversaries of the attacks, to follow.

Visit FishbowlNY, where New York TV and radio personalities reflect on 9/11/01 in our series “9/11: New York Remembers.”


CBS News Will Provide Extensive Coverage Beginning Sept. 9 - Sept. 11 On “The Early Show,” “CBS Evening News,” “Face The Nation,” “60 Minutes” and Across All Platforms Including: CBS Radio News, CBSNews.com, CBS Newspath and CBS News’ Polling and Survey Unit

On Sunday, Sept. 11, CBS Will Dedicate Six Hours of Coverage to Mark the Day, Highlighted by a CBS News Special, “9/11: America Remembers,” Anchored By Scott Pelley from Ground Zero, Beginning at 8:00 AM, ET (Check Local Listings)

CBS News announces division-wide coverage plans to mark 10 years since the 9/11 terrorist attacks against the United States. CBS News will provide extensive coverage beginning Sept. 9 – Sept. 11 on THE EARLY SHOW, CBS EVENING NEWS, FACE THE NATION, 60 MINUTES and across all platforms, including CBS Radio News, CBSNews.com, CBS Newspath and CBS News’ Polling and Survey Unit.

Beginning Friday, Sept. 9, CBS News’ THE EARLY SHOW and the CBS EVENING NEWS will broadcast live from Ground Zero in New York City.



On Sunday, Sept. 11, six hours will be devoted to the coverage, beginning with a CBS News special 9/11: AMERICA REMEMBERS, anchored by Scott Pelley (8:00 AM, ET check local listings). Immediately following the coverage of the scheduled events, a special edition of FACE THE NATION will broadcast live from Ground Zero.



In addition, 60 MINUTES (7:00-8:00 PM, ET) will devote the entire broadcast to 9/11 coverage, which will be followed by CBS Television Network and filmmakers Jules and Gedeon Naudet and James Hanlon’s presentation of “9/11: 10 YEARS LATER,” an update of the critically acclaimed, multiple award-winning film, “9/11,” to be broadcast on CBS as a special presentation, Sunday, Sept. 11 (8:00-10:00 PM, ET/PT).



CBS News’ coverage will include personal stories from survivors and family members of some of the victims, as well as reports from CBS News correspondents at the World Trade Center, Pentagon and in Shanksville, Pa.

CBS News’ division-wide programming highlights, beginning Sept. 9, will include the following:

Friday, September 9

• THE EARLY SHOW (7:00-9:00 AM, ET) will provide extensive coverage live from Ground Zero.

• Scott Pelley will anchor the CBS EVENING NEWS (6:30-7:00 PM, ET) from that location.

Saturday, September 10


• THE EARLY SHOW ON SATURDAY (Check Local Listings) will broadcast live from Ground Zero.

• CBS EVENING NEWS will broadcast live from Ground Zero (6:30-7:00 PM, ET).



Sunday, September 11



• Scott Pelley will anchor a CBS News special, 9/11: AMERICA REMEMBERS, live from Ground Zero, beginning at 8:00 AM, ET.



• Immediately following the coverage of the scheduled events, a special edition of FACE THE NATION will broadcast live from Ground Zero.
• 60 MINUTES (7:00-8:00 PM, ET) will devote the entire broadcast to 9/11 coverage.



• The CBS Television Network and filmmakers Jules and Gedeon Naudet and James Hanlon will present “9/11: 10 YEARS LATER,” an update of the critically acclaimed, multiple award-winning film, “9/11,” to be broadcast on CBS as a special presentation (8:00-10:00 PM, ET/PT). For more on this special go to: http://www.cbspressexpress.com/div.php/cbs_entertainment/release?id=28857
• CBS Radio News will offer expanded programming and feature reports, including a five-part series, “Justice In a Time of Terror.” CBS Radio News will also present special short-form reports and long-form weekend roundup: “9/11: America Remembers,” as well as live anchored coverage of the events in NY, DC and PA.



• In addition to a live webcast of Sept. 11 events, CBSNews.com will provide archival footage of CBS News coverage of Sept. 11 and the weeks after, as well as original reports looking forward and back at the impact of the attacks.



• CBS Newspath, the network’s 24-hour news service to its owned stations and affiliates in the U. S. and around the globe, will provide live reports from Ground Zero beginning Friday, Sept. 9 through Monday, Sept. 12. Additionally, CBS Newspath will have a correspondent live at Ground Zero beginning at 5:00 AM, ET on Sept. 11.



• CBS News’ Polling & Survey Unit will present exclusive poll results and statistical analysis.

On Eve Of 9/11 Anniversary, NYPD And FDNY Push For National Emergency Radio Network

The city's fire and police commissioners urged Congress Wednesday to approve a national emergency radio network in time for the 10th anniversary of the Sept. 11 attacks.

Our Cunningham and Gendar report:

Gathered at a Staten Island firehouse that lost five members in the attacks, Fire Commissioner Salvatore Cassano and Police Commissioner Raymond Kelly said their crews couldn't talk to any federal agencies if another terror strike happened tomorrow.

"We've gone light years ahead of where everybody else has gone," Cassano said. "But to have a nationwide system would be even better."

Sen. Kirsten Gillibrand, a key proponent of the national radio network, noted, "Congress has yet to fulfill one of the key, outstanding recommendations of the 9/11 Commission Report....We needed to have interoperability between local, state and federal first responders."

The nation's police, fire and rescue operations use more than 55,000 separate radio networks.

The goal would be to create a single network on the radio spectrum so rescuers could talk across city, state and regional lines - and share crucial documents like building blueprints or arrest records.

"To reserve part of the spectrum for first responders is critically important to New York and nationally," Kelly said.

Money is not the primary congressional stumbling block.

A review by the Congressional Budget Office estimated a nationwide system would pay for itself through the auction of unused broadband - generating up to $6.5 billion in surplus that could go toward cutting the nation's debt.

The legislation has languished amid partisan squabbling over whether the government or private companies should own and run the network.

"We're going to go back [to Capitol Hill] in September," said Gillibrand, who joined Cassano and Kelly at the station housing Engine 160 and Rescue Company 5. "I think we'll have the support when we have the vote."

"The status quo is unacceptable," she added
http://www.nydailynews.com/blogs/dailypolitics/2011/08/on-eve-of-911-anniversary-nypd-and-fdny-push-for-national-emergency-radio-netw

.MSNBC Announces 9/11 Anniversary Coverage Plans

On Thursday, September 1st at 9:00 PM/ET, MSNBC will debut 'Day of Destruction - Decade of War.'

The documentary draws from the unparalleled field experience of NBC News’ Chief Foreign Correspondent Richard Engel and the distinct analysis and insight of MSNBC’s Rachel Maddow to take a broad look at the decade since September 11, 2001. The report explores how America responded to the attacks and how the country has changed. “Day of Destruction: Decade of War” will re-air in its entirety on September 9th, 10th and 11th. Produced by Peacock Productions.

Premiering on Saturday, September 10th at 3:00 PM/ET and re-airing on Sunday, September 11th at 9:00 PM/ET, MSNBC presents the riveting story of the 9/11 Commission hearings with “On Native Soil.”

"On Native Soil" captures the content of the 9/11 Commission's report while exposing new details, including interviews with witnesses who testified for the Commission behind closed doors. It is the story of a loose collection of ordinary Americans - united by their single-minded passion for answers - who challenged a bureaucracy and triumphed. “On Native Soil” is narrated by Kevin Costner and Hilary Swank.

On Sunday, September 11th from 8:00–11:00 AM/ET, MSNBC will simulcast the NBC special.

Later that evening on Sunday, September 11 at 8:00 PM/ET, “9/11: In Our Own Words” will air on MSNBC. In this unique documentary, NBC News anchors and correspondents recall their personal memories of reporting live the morning of September 11, 2001. Weaving together the live footage of that morning with present-day interviews, the special covers the first several hours of reporting as the terrorist attacks on America unfolded.

From Matt Lauer and Tom Brokaw in the NBC News studios in New York, to David Gregory with President Bush, Jim Miklaszewski at the Pentagon and Andrea Mitchell at the Washington Bureau – the NBC News team relives the developments and emotions of that fateful day. “9/11: In Our Own Words ” is an MSNBC original production and was produced for MSNBC by Peacock Productions.

http://www.newsonnews.net/msnbc/11181-msnbc-announces-9-11-anniversary-coverage-plans.html

New Orleans to commemorate anniversary of 9/11

NEW ORLEANS -- With the 10th anniversary of the Sept. 11, 2001, terrorist attacks coming up, New Orleans plans to commemorate the anniversary by asking citizens to pay tribute to the city's firefighters, police officers and emergency medical services workers.

Mayor Mitch Landrieu is asking people to show their appreciation for the city's emergency workers by refurbishing buildings, doing landscaping work, making meals or baking cookies for first responders. The mayor is asking children to write thank you notes or create banners for first responders.

The city's "9/11 Tribute Through Service" initiative is meant to commemorate the men and women who died in New York City, the Pentagon and in Pennsylvania 10 years ago on Sept. 11.

http://www.nola.com/politics/index.ssf/2011/08/new_orleans_to_commemorate_ann.html

Emergency Responders Ready To Protect Florida for 9/11 Anniversary

Hundreds of emergency responders discussed plans to keep South Florida safe from terrorism and other threats during the quarterly summit of the Southeast Regional Domestic Security Task Force.

The meeting on Thursday at the Marriott in West Palm Beach covered preparations to secure the area during the 10th anniversary of 9-11.

Hundreds of agencies plan to have extra people working around the clock in the days leading up to the anniversary, including ocean crews escorting cruise ships arriving and leaving local ports

Palm Beach County Sheriff Ric Bradshaw, chairman of the task force, kicked off the all-day event that joined law enforcement and emergency responders from Miami-Dade, Broward and Palm Beach counties.

http://www.sun-sentinel.com/news/palm-beach/fl-domestic-security-task-force-20110818,0,5313037.story

Secretary of Homeland Defense - No Guarantee Against Terrorist Attacks

(CNSNews.com) – As the 10th anniversary of the September 11th terrorist attack approaches, U.S. Secretary of Homeland Security Janet Napolitano said America is “stronger” and “more secure against that type of attack” but will not “offer guarantees.”

“There is no question but that our country is stronger and more secure against that type of attack than it was a decade ago. We have bounced back. We have bounced back very strongly from what was the worst attack ever on our soil. We have made progress on every front to protect ourselves,” she said during an event at the U.S. Chamber of Commerce on Wednesday called, "The State of Homeland Security Since 9/11: Looking Back, Looking Forward."


Still, Napolitano cannot guarantee that the U.S. will not be attacked again.

Today, we are stronger than we were on 9/11. There are no guarantees in this world and I’m not here to offer guarantees,” she told the audience.


“There are lots of things that are threatened that can happen but what we can do is maximize our ability to prevent an attack from occurring, minimize the ability of such an attack having a large impact and increase our ability to respond with efficiency and effectiveness and to get as I said earlier, to get right back up on the horse and back to the business of the country

http://www.cnsnews.com/news/article/napolitano-us-stronger-911-no-guarantees

NYPD Heighten Alert for "Lone Wolf" on 9/11 Anniversary

NEW YORK (WCBS 880) – The NYPD is strengthening its safety net around the city as the 9/11 anniversary approaches and the city’s top cop says he’s very concerned about an attack timed to coincide with the memorials.

in New York City. (Photo by Mario Tama/Getty Images)

Reporting Marla Diamond

LISTEN: WCBS 880′s Marla Diamond reports

http://newyork.cbslocal.com/2011/08/18/police-commissioner-ray-kelly-nyc-on-heightened-alert-for-911-anniversary/

Police Commissioner Ray Kelly says the city has not received any specific threats, but is on heightened alert for the 9/11 anniversary.

“We have to be concerned,” Kelly said. “Osama bin Laden spoke about some event on September 11, 2011 twice in the last two years.”

Kelly says bin Laden’s death is not a game changer


Kelly says some of the avengers may be so-called lone wolves, radicallized by what they read online.

President Barack Obama has also said a “lone wolf” terror attack in the U.S. is more likely than a major coordinated effort like the September 11 attacks

FDNY Fire Fighters Release 9/11 Tribute Album fo Anniversary

As we prepare to mark the tenth anniversary of the 9/11 attacks, three veteran New York firefighters have released a moving tribute album -- Beyond The Call: A Musical Tribute to Courage, Honor & Sacrifice.

NYC firefighters Frank Pizarro and Regina Wilson -- both of whom were all the front lines that fateful day on September 11, 2001 -- joined forces with a friend, fellow firefighter Billy Arce, to create the musical group, Beyond The Call.

To mark the anniversary of the worst ever terrorist attack on U.S. soil, the three -- all of whom are accomplished singers -- decided to raise their voices in order to raise money to help those who keep our safe country, be it firefighters, military or first responders -- and their families.

New York Yankees legend-turned-musician Bernie Williams heard about the project and volunteered to play guitar for one of the songs on the CD -- Hallelujah.

RadarOnline.com had the honor of talking with Frank and Regina about their searing memories http://www.radaronline.com/exclusives/2011/08/new-york-firefighters-release-tribute-album-mark-911-anniversary

Concern of 'Lone Wolf' Attacks on 9/11 Anniversary

Newsroom America) -- President Barack Obama said Wednesday he was less concerned about a spectacular terrorist attack on the upcoming 10th anniversary of the Sept. 11, 2001 attacks and more worried about attacks that could be carried out by individual radicals.

"The most likely scenario that we have to guard against right now ends up being more of a lone wolf operation than a large, well coordinated terrorist attack," he told CNN during a campaign swing through Iowa on a three-day bus tour that included stops in Minnesota and Missouri.

"We still have to stay on top of it, though. We're never letting our guard now, that's part of our job," he said, adding that the U.S. would remain on "heightened" alert with "extra vigilance" on the anniversary.

Obama was asked about the prospects of a new large-scale terror assault on the anniversary of the attacks that destroyed the twin World Trade Center towers in New York City and damaged the Pentagon near Washington, D.C., as well as retaliation for the raid that killed Osama bin Laden in May.

The president said U.S. national security officials were "constantly monitoring potential risks," but a stepped-up campaign against al Qaeda around the globe had left the organization largely defensive and on the run.

"The risk is always there, and obviously on a seminal event like the tenth anniversary of 9/11, that makes us more concerned -- it means we've got heightened awareness," said Obama.

However, he added, "the biggest concern we have right now is not the launching of a major terrorist operation -- although that risk is always there.

"The risk that we're especially concerned over right now is the lone wolf terrorist, somebody with a single weapon being able to carry out wide-scale massacres of the sort we saw in Norway recently," he said.

National Anti-Terror Campaign Launched Ahead of 9/11 Anniversary

As the 10-year anniversary of the 9-11 terror attacks approaches, the Department of Homeland Security has launched a national television campaign to remind citizens to be vigilant and report any suspicious activity to authorities.

The government agency announced the public-service campaign in a blog post Wednesday by Secretary Janet Napolitano. "As I've said in the past, hometown security is the key to homeland security," she wrote. "Time and again, we've seen terrorist attacks thwarted by alert individuals who notify authorities when something just doesn't seem right ... security is a shared responsibility and we all have a role to play."

The TV spots are inspired by a local campaign that began across New York subways and buses in the wake of the 9/11 terror attacks. The Big Apple's Metropolitan Transit Authority owns the rights to the campaign idea -- and its memorable tagline, "If You See Something, Say Something" -- and has licensed that tagline to Homeland Security for its anti-terror and anti-crime efforts. The MTA's work has proved successful, and was credited with thwarting a potentially deadly attack in New York's Times Square last May.

In one of the national spots (watch below), a woman exits a cab at a train station only to walk in and drop off a bag unattended. With dark, thumping music in the background, the voiceover says: "Maybe you see something suspicious but you don't want to get involved. 'It's nothing,' you think. Can you be sure?"

Along with the TV spots, the the department is running two 30-second radio ads to help raise awareness; one takes place is a shopping mall setting and another at a sporting event.

It's unclear if the radio and TV ads were created internally or with the help of an agency; Homeland Security representatives didn't respond to a request for comment by press time.


While the ads don't reference the 9/11 attacks or other terror attempts specifically, it's clear the U.S. government is on heightened alert in the weeks before the 10th anniversary of the biggest terrorist attack on U.S. soil. The launch of the campaign comes just a day after President Barack Obama, in an interview with CNN's Wolf Blitzer, said he's especially concerned by the potential of a "lone-wolf" terrorist incident similar to the one that caused mayhem in Norway last month

http://adage.com/article/news/feds-launch-national-anti-terror-tv-campaign-ahead-9-11/229342/

NYPD Dedicated to Fighting Terrorism as 9/11 Anniversary Approaches

As we approach the 10th anniversary of the destruction of the World Trade Center, the question of New York's vulnerability to terror attacks is again in the forefront of public discussion.

While the NYPD's main focus has been and continues to be conventional crime fighting, we devote considerable resources to deterring another attack.

In the immediate aftermath of 9/11, many thought another terrorist attack on New York was inevitable.

While the NYPD never subscribed to that notion, we knew that Al Qaeda and its adherents kept New York at the top of its target list and plotted feverishly to come back and kill New Yorkers.

There have been 13 plots against New York that have been thwarted by either the great work of our Federal partners, NYPD officers, just plain luck, or a combination of all three. They were:

-- Khalid Sheikh Mohammed's plot to take down the Brooklyn Bridge a year after the destruction of the World Trade Center was abandoned only after Al Qaeda operative Iyman Farris found security at the bridge made it too difficult to attack.

-- The December 2002 plot to disperse cyanide gas in the subway system. It was called off at the last minute by Iyman Zawahiri for what he said was "something bigger."

-- Al Qaeda's Al Hindi plotted against the New York Stock Exchange, Citigroup Headquarters in midtown Manhattan and the Prudential Center in New Jersey.

-- The Parachas, father and son, abetted Al Qaeda in what was ultimately believed to be a plan to use shipping containers to smuggle explosives -- possibly even a nuclear device -- into Manhattan's Garment District.

-- An undercover NYPD police officer helped disrupt a 2004 plot to bomb the Herald Square subway station by lone-wolf admirers of Al Qaeda.

-- Other Al Qaeda sympathizers plotted to bomb fuel storage tanks at JFK International Airport and blow up the Buckeye pipeline that transports jet fuel from New Jersey to JFK and LaGuardia via Staten Island, Brooklyn and Queens.

-- The plot to flood Manhattan's financial district by simultaneously bombing the PATH subway and the retaining wall at the World Trade Center site.

-- A British-based plot to destroy seven commercial aircraft over the Atlantic Ocean or fly one or more of them into East Coast targets, including New York City.

-- A plot to bomb a Manhattan-bound LIRR commuter train was discussed at the highest levels of Al Qaeda operational leadership.

http://articles.nydailynews.com/2011-08-07/local/29878464_1_ahmed-ferhani-najibullah-zazi-plot

Firefighters Not Invited to Ground Zero on 9/11 Anniversary

Firefighters and other responders will be on the outside looking in when a ceremony is held marking the 10th anniversary of the 9/11 terrorist attacks next month, according to The Daily News.

A city official told the newspaper that that the amount of space at the new memorial and security logistics have forced to city to schedule a separate ceremony for responders on a later date.

Family members of the nearly 3,000 killed in the attacks were invited, along with President Barrack Obama and former president George W. Bush.

"To have a separate service on another day has no significance, no meaning," David Jacobs, who volunteered at the site sifting debris, told the newspaper. "For many of us, we gave a lot at that site."

His childhood friend, a city firefighter, died in the attacks.

In previous years, responders were welcomed at the site, but little construction had begun and space wasn't an issue.

One construction worker told 1010 WINS that he believes they should be invited this year.

"I think that they should be allowed to go because too many of their brothers and sisters lost their lives and they should be the first ones that are included," he said. "They should make it happen. I'm sure there are going to be a lot of people here who shouldn't be here

An estimated 91,000 police, firefighters and other responders helped with the search and rescue efforts in the wake of the attacks

http://www.firehouse.com/news/911news/responders-not-invited-memorial-911-anniversary

A&E 9/11 anniversary with “Portraits from Ground Zero”

A&E Network and BIO Channel are lining up four doc specials to mark the 10th anniversary of 9/11, with the former set to air Portraits from Ground Zero, a two-hour special centering on photojournalist Andrea Booher’s pictures taken at Ground Zero in the days following the September 11 attacks.

The special will air on A&E at 10 p.m. EST on September 10. According to the network, Booher was one of the only photographers given full 24-hour access to Ground Zero in the immediate aftermath of 9/11. The doc will feature the subjects of Booher’s photographs, including a firefighter searching for the body of his life-long friend; a teenage girl mourning her stepfather; and a Franciscan friar ministering to the dead.

Elsewhere, BIO will premiere When Pop Culture Saved America on September 5 at 8 p.m., a two-hour documentary that looks at the days and months following the attack, showing “how the non-news media pitched in to bring the nation together,” with comedians, singers, actors and entertainers putting on a variety of concerts, telethons and specials.

Also on BIO, the network’s original series I Survived… will air a special profiling the stories of 12 fire fighters, ambulance workers, defense officials and office workers who all survived 9/11. I Survived…9/11 airs September 6 at 8 p.m.

Finally, A&E’s hour-long special Beyond: Messages from 9/11 looks at people who say they have received signs and messages from lost loved ones, who died during 9/11, from beyond the grave. It airs September 10 at 10 p.m.

Portraits from Ground Zero is produced by Left/Right, When Pop Culture Saved America is made by BrainStorm, I Survived…9/11 is produced by NHNZ, and Beyond: Messages from 9/11 is made by September Films.



Tags: A&E, A+E Networks, Beyond: Messages from 9/11, BIO Channel, BrainStorm, I

CNN Original Documentaries Marking 9/11 Anniversary

Dr. Sanjay Gupta, Soledad O’Brien, Drew Griffin and TIME/HBO Presentation Report: 9/11 Ten Years Later
During the week leading up to the tenth anniversary of the Sept. 11, 2001 attacks on the United States, CNN will premiere four one-hour productions on its domestic network. In investigations led by chief medical correspondent Dr. Sanjay Gupta, investigative correspondent Drew Griffin, and anchor and special correspondent Soledad O’Brien, CNN is reporting new insights into the health consequences experienced by the first responders working at New York’s Ground Zero, examining the events of that day through the eyes of people who were on the front lines of one of America’s most tragic days, and profiling several unsung heroines who saved lives on that day. A fourth presentation from TIME in association with HBO features a collection of TIME magazine oral histories from people who experienced the events of that day as they unfolded, and their reflections as the nation reacted in the days, months, and years afterwards.

“It was a day that changed us all and CNN is leveraging its unmatched resources to cover remembrances from around the nation and the world as we look back on 9/11 and what it means a decade later,” says Bart Feder, senior vice president of programming for CNN. “In addition, these documentaries tell stories we feel will evoke pride in the heroism and bravery of the Americans who risked their lives, and some who sacrificed themselves on that day to save others. And, they present an opportunity to remember the difficult work of first responders – and our servicemen and women on the front lines overseas – who continue to try to keep this nation safe each day.”
On Tuesday, Sept. 6 at 11:00pm (replay on Sunday, Sept. 11 at 8:00pm), CNN will debut FOOTNOTES OF 9/11, featuring interviews with people who went to work on Sept. 11, 2001 – and unexpectedly became part of history. Each of the eight people profiled by investigative correspondent Drew Griffin for this documentary is mentioned in The 9/11 Commission Report – their unique experiences are drawn from the 1,742 footnotes of that report and offer critical detail to the tragic events of that day – are literal and figurative footnotes to one of America’s darkest days. They include ticket agents who checked in some of the terrorists, a maintenance technician who answered a call from one of the planes under attack, and the Lt. Col. in the Massachusetts Air National Guard – also a United Airlines pilot – who scrambled to provide defense to New York, and faced possibly having to shoot down a passenger plane.

On Wednesday, Sept. 7 at 11:00pm (replay on Saturday, Sept. 10 at 9:00pm), DR. SANJAY GUPTA REPORTS: TERROR IN THE DUST, will examine how responders who breathed in the toxic dust and noxious fumes at New York City’s Ground Zero are coping with the health effects of the attacks. The environmental hazards at the World Trade Center disaster site – mercury from fluorescent light bulbs, dioxin and benzene emitted as the jets burned, asbestos from the building materials, and more – have caused severe respiratory ailments, immune problems and, some suspect, a greatly increased cancer risk. Among those who speak to Dr. Gupta are two brothers – firefighters who searched for survivors in the pile of the collapsed towers – one whose lungs are now failing and the other who appears to have had no permanent physical effects. Ten years after the attacks chief medical correspondent Dr. Sanjay Gupta speaks to first responders who continue to experience emotional trauma. Dr. Gupta’s investigation includes never before broadcast footage of the collapse of the Twin Towers, the medical consequences of the killer dust, and safety recommendations for future crisis responses.

BEYOND BRAVERY: THE WOMEN OF 9/11 will air on Thursday, Sept. 8 at 11:00pm (replay on Sunday, Sept. 11 at 9:00pm), and profiles the sometimes overlooked female rescue workers who raced to the Twin Towers in the wake of the attack. Anchor and special correspondent Soledad O’Brien looks at the work of these rescue workers over the decade following their life-altering experiences. Among the stories of these heroic women of New York’s Ground Zero is an African-American firefighter whose company lost seven of the 342 firefighters who died that day. She is pushing to recruit more women to this dangerous job, even as the number of female firefighters has dropped to less than one percent of the NYFD. O’Brien also speaks with the family of a decorated police officer and mother who was photographed rescuing survivors just moments before the collapse of the towers. O’Brien reports the present-day health and emotional struggles of these unsung heroines and hears about their determination to be prepared for the next attack – and to restore hope.

On Friday, Sept. 9 at 11:00pm (with replays on Saturday, Sept. 10 at 8:00pm and 11:00pm), CNN will premiere a special presentation from TIME in association with HBO, BEYOND 9/11: PORTRAITS OF RESILIENCE. Captured in words and moving images, this documentary features untold stories drawn from 40 women and men who led and sacrificed for America in the hours, days, and months that followed the attacks. Working with the editors of TIME, award-winning photographer Marco Grob produced an astonishing set of portraits which are coupled with dramatic recollections from government leaders, survivors of the towers, and first responders.

Kathleen Johnston, Brian Rokus, and Bud Bultman produced FOOTNOTES of 9/11, Stephanie Smith and Roni Selig produced TERROR IN THE DUST, and Rose Arce and Geraldine Moriba produced BEYOND BRAVERY.

CNN Worldwide, a division of Turner Broadcasting System, Inc., a Time Warner Company, is the most trusted source for news and information. Its reach extends to nine cable and satellite television networks; one private place-based network; two radio networks; wireless devices around the world; CNN Digital Network, the No. 1 network of news Web sites in the United States; CNN Newsource, the world’s most extensively-syndicated news service; and strategic international partnerships within both television and the digital media

First Responders Not Invited To 9/11 Anniversary Ground Zero Ceremony

First responders who were called to the World Trade Center site in the days and weeks following 9/11 will reportedly be on the outside looking in at next month's anniversary ceremony.

According to the Daily News, police officers, firefighters and rescue workers will not be invited to take part in the primary 10th anniversary ceremony activities.

Instead, they will be asked back at the site another day for a separate ceremony.

The News cites security and a lack of room as the reason of the decision.

The presence of President Barack Obama and former President George W. Bush will create mounting security concerns.

Thousands of family members will also be on hand.

It's estimated as many as 91,000 people took part in the initial search and rescue at the World Trader Center site.

http://www.ny1.com/content/special_reports/911_a_decade_later/144997/report--first-responders-not-invited-to-9-11-anniversary-ceremony

“Ride of Valor” Launched to Honor Heroes of Flight 93

Shanksville, PA (PRWEB) August 11, 2011

“Ride of Valor”, a first-ever national effort to honor the 40 Heroes of Flight 93 through a series of community based motorcycle rides across the nation that also includes a unique opportunity to ride virtually online, has been formally launched with registration now available for all categories of participation at RideofValor.com.

Ride of Valor provides an opportunity for individuals to honor the heroism and sacrifice of the 40 passengers and crew of United Flight 93, who stopped a planned attack by terrorists on Washington, D.C., and most likely the U.S. Capitol building saving thousands of lives.

All Ride of Valor activities take place this Summer and Fall, on occasion of the tenth anniversary of 9/11. Proceeds from Ride of Valor benefit completion of the Flight 93 National Memorial in Shanksville, Pennsylvania, in conjunction with the National Park Foundation. First phase of the Memorial will be dedicated on September 10th.

“Anyone can be a part of Ride of Valor,” said Debby Borza, a principal Ride of Valor organizer and Mother of Flight 93 passenger Deora Bodley.

Motorcycle clubs, organizations, retail shops or any business can host a Ride of Valor for their community or area. Ride of Valor’s coordination team also supplies all materials and support required. “It’s truly easy, and we’re there to help every step of the way,” Borza added.

Ride of Valor also features a unique opportunity for those who don’t own a motorcycle or can’t participate in a ride, to ride from the comfort of their own home as ‘Spirit Riders’ for as little as $10, as
well as at symbolic levels of $40 and $93.

Hosts of rides also can make Ride of Valor a theme of any currently scheduled ride or event in their area. Organizers have encouraged local Ride of Valor hosts to partner with local civic and fraternal groups. Creating a Ride of Valor for a particular day, organizers say, provides maximum flexibility based on three types of rides:

Valor and Honor Ride: 40 riders (or valor bearers) wearing Vests of Valor, each displaying the name and image of a Flight 93 hero. Additional riders may display the official Flight 93 commemorative flag.

Honor Ride: Riders display Flight 93 flags.

Remembrance Ride: Riders don’t display Ride of Valor vests or the Flight 93 flag.



Ride of Valor also announced a “Motorcycle Club Challenge” that offers multiple prizes to be awarded that include recruitment of the most ‘Spirit Riders’ among its members, their families and friends.

All information related to Ride of Valor hosting and registration is available at http://www.RideofValor.com. On the website are tools and guidance for individuals creating Rides of Valor, as hosts, as well as means to initiate and track registrations in all categories, including as online “Spirit Riders.”

The story of the 40 heroes of Flight 93, as well as the planning for and progress of the Flight 93 National Memorial, may also be found through the Ride of Valor’s website. More information is also available at 855-ROV-INFO (855-768-4636); option 1 for general information, or via email at: info(at)rideofvalor(dot)com.

Arlington Virginia Plans 9/11 Commemorations

We’re one month away from the 10th anniversary of 9/11, and Arlington is planning several events to commemorate the solemn occasion.

On Saturday, Sept. 10 Arlington County will host a special 9/11 tribute event to honor the 184 people who perished during the terrorist attack on the Pentagon.

“The event will be held at the Air Force Memorial and will be emceed by ACFD Lieutenant Dave Santini, with an invocation by ACFD Chaplin Reverend Leonard L. Hamlin, live instrumental music and a vocalist to lead attendees in singing ‘America the Beautiful,’” according to the county web site. “This event is free and open to the public.”

Also on Sept. 10, Arlington’s public safety personnel are hosting a 9/11 memorial 5K race in Pentagon City. Registration for the race, which benefits several 9/11-related charities, is still open.

Another annual public safety-sponsored commemorative event, the First Responders Cup softball tournament, will take place Sept. 9 to 11 at three separate South Arlington fields.

For anyone interested in giving back to the community to honor the memory of 9/11 victims, Arlington County is compiling volunteer opportunities for the 9/11 Day of Service. Among the options is a Sept. 10 and 11 grocery store food drive to benefit the Arlington Food Assistance Center.

More information on 9/11 events in Arlington can be found on the county’s “Arlington Remembers September 11, 2001″ web page.

http://www.arlnow.com/2011/08/11/arlington-plans-911-commemorations/

“New York Remembers” Exhibits in state to mark 9/11 anniversary

ALBANY — Artifacts from the ground zero terrorist attack and expressions of grief that followed will be on display from Aug. 29 through the end of September in 30 cities across the state, including four in Western New York, as part of New York’s 10th anniversary remembrances of 9/11, Gov. Andrew M. Cuomo announced Wednesday.

Many of the items included in “New York Remembers” come from the State Museum and the National September 11 Memorial & Museum.

In addition to an exhibit at State Museum and Empire State Plaza in Albany, there will be displays at the Burchfield Penney Art Center at Buffalo State College, Conference Center Niagara Falls, Batavia City Hall and the Jamestown Municipal Building.

Cuomo urged all New Yorkers to visit the sites. All will be open Sunday, Sept. 11.

“Every community across New York felt the impact of the senseless acts of terrorism that claimed thousands of lives just one decade ago,” Cuomo said. “These exhibitions will give New Yorkers in towns, villages and cities all across the state a gathering place to once again stand as one community to make sure we never forget those who lost their lives on Sept. 11 and to embrace the spirit of unity that brought us together on that day of devastating tragedy.”

Many of the artifacts being exhibited have never been seen by the public. They include the trailer used by families visiting ground zero that includes photographs and messages; damaged emergency vehicles and other vehicle parts;

aluminum and glass from the buildings; religious “symbol steel” created by the workers at the site; and fragments of the airplanes that struck the twin towers, including landing gear and engine parts. The stories behind all the artifacts will be told as part of the exhibitions.

The statewide exhibit won’t have displays in New York City, but national events are scheduled there, and the New York Historical Society plans displays.

“In advance of the 9/11 Memorial Museum opening in 2012, we’re proud to have this opportunity to display some of our treasured artifacts across New York State,” said Alice M. Greenwald, director of the National September 11 Memorial &Museum.

“Authentic objects are crucial to understanding the story of 9/11, from the profound loss to the extraordinary heroism and depths of compassion,” she added. “These exhibits will be an important learning opportunity for people of all ages and a fitting tribute to the many who perished at the World Trade Center on that terrible morning 10 years ago.”

email: citydesk@buffnews.comnull

Bin Laden Capture Movie set for October 2012 Release

Oscar-winning filmmaker Kathryn Bigelow​ has been actively developing a movie tentatively titled Kill Bin Laden, so news of the infamous terrorist’s death is sheer lucky coincidence; however, chances are good that the based-on-a-true story project will be fast-tracked and put into production very soon, given recent events.



Joel Edgerton (Smokin’ Aces) is reportedly in line to play the leading man in Bigelow’s Bin Laden flick – or was, as of last Friday. The actor has recently been shortlisted as a prospect to star in upcoming tentpole pics like Snow White and the Huntsman and The Bourne Legacy - the latter of which looks to instead feature Hurt Locker leading man Jeremy Renner, coincidentally enough.

Bigelow’s Bin Laden film is said to be based on a real-life mission carried out some years ago (after 9/11) by military forces, to hunt down and kill the infamous Al Queda leader back when he was reportedly hiding in the mountainous border region between Pakistan and Afghanistan. Chances are good that the film won’t be changed drastically, since Bigelow informed Deadline that “this movie isn’t specifically about [Bin Laden]“; however, it’s all but guaranteed to note his death, via an epilogue of sorts.

http://screenrant.com/osama-bin-laden-movie-kathryn-bigelow-sandy-113358/

Seal Team 6 shot down on Rescue Mission

..KABUL, Afghanistan (AP) — The 30 American service members — most of them elite Navy SEALs — who died when their helicopter was shot down had rushed to help Army Rangers who had come under fire, two U.S. officials said Sunday.

The heavy loss shows that clandestine tactics carry huge risks despite the huge success of the SEAL mission that killed Osama bin Laden more than three months ago. Most of the SEALs who died Saturday were from the same unit that killed bin Laden, although none of the men took part in that mission.

The U.S.-led coalition plans to rely more on special operations missions as it reduces the overall number of combat troops by the end of 2014.

This weekend, the rescue team had subdued attackers who had pinned down the Rangers and were departing in their Chinook helicopter when the aircraft was apparently hit, one of the officials said.

Thirty Americans and eight Afghans were killed in the crash, making it the deadliest single loss for U.S. forces in the decade-long war in Afghanistan. The Rangers, special operations forces who work regularly with the SEALs, secured the crash site in the Tangi Joy Zarin area of Wardak province, about 60 miles (97 kilometers) southwest of Kabul, the other official said.

Both officials spoke on condition of anonymity to describe the event, as the investigation is still ongoing. The SEAL mission was first reported by CNN.

NATO was recovering the remains of the twin rotor Chinook helicopter. A current and a former U.S. official said the Americans included 22 SEALs, three Air Force combat controllers and a dog handler and his dog. The two spoke on condition of anonymity because military officials were still notifying the families of the dead.

All but two of the SEALs were from SEAL Team 6, the unit that killed bin Laden, U.S. officials said on condition of anonymity because they were not authorized to release the information.

Eight Taliban fighters were also killed in the battle, Taliban spokesman Zabiullah Mujahid said in a statement.

Afghanistan has more U.S. special operations troops, about 10,000, than any other theater of war. The forces, often joined by Afghan troops, are among the most effective weapons in the coalition's arsenal, conducting surveillance, infiltration and capture missions and night raids.

From April to July this year, 2,832 special operations raids captured 2,941 insurgents and killed 834, twice as many as during the same time period last year, according to NATO.

SEALs, Rangers, and other special operations troops are expected to be the vanguard of the American military effort in Afghanistan as international military forces start pulling out. By the time combat troops plan to have left the country, the coalition will have handed control of security to the Afghan forces they have spent tens of billions of dollars arming and training.

Special operations troops are expected to remain in the country after 2014 for counterterrorism missions and advisory support. Just how many will remain has not yet been negotiated with the Afghan government, but the United States is considering from 5,000 to 20,000, far fewer than the 100,000 U.S. troops there now.

Special forces are frequently used to target insurgent commanders as part of an effort to force the Taliban's leadership to agree to a negotiated peace. The operations, mostly in the form of night raids, are often carried out by Afghan and coalition special operations forces.

Night raids have drawn criticism from human rights activists and infuriated Afghan President Hamid Karzai, who says they anger and alienate the Afghan population.

But NATO commanders have said the raids are safer for civilians than relatively imprecise airstrikes.

As U.S. forces removed the wreckage Sunday, nearby Afghan and NATO forces battled insurgents as they carried out clearing operations in the areas around the crash site, a region that is just a stone's throw from the capital. The province, which borders Kabul, has increasingly come under Taliban control in recent months — even as the U.S.-led coalition has begun handing over security for parts of Afghanistan over to the government of President Hamid Karzai.

"There have been a small number of limited engagements in the same district" as Saturday's helicopter crash, NATO said in a statement. "However those clashes have not been in the direct vicinity of the crash site. As of now, we have no reporting to indicate any coalition casualties resulting from these engagements."

___

Associated Press Intelligence Writer Kimberly Dozier contributed to this story from Washington. Associated Press writer Lolita C. Baldor also contributed from Washington.

..